Apple reveals first glimpse of its connected home future

WWDC Report: Home Kit allows for systems control from lights to locks.

Apple announced its official entry into the connected home market on Monday with the unveiling of Home Kit, a platform which will let iPhone and iPad users to use their devices as remote controls for the home.

Announced at its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in San Francisco, Home Kit allows devices such as locks, lights, webcams, garage doors and even thermostats to be controlled by iPhones and iPads, with each device able to be accessed through a Home Kit app.

The interface saves users from having to access different home devices through the manufacturers’ respective apps. Manufacturers can now label their home devices as ‘Made for iPhone/iPad/iPod’.

Apple also announced Siri integration for Home Kit. Last week, CBR was given a glimpse of Microsoft’s vision for the connected home with Cortana integration.

Home Kit also featured the ability to group different devices together into ‘scenes’. For example, a going to bed ‘scene’ would turn off all lights, set the thermostat to sleeping temperature and lock the doors.

Apple has so far partnered with various smart lock and weather monitoring companies like August, Schlage and Philips. These companies’ devices will now work with iOS so users can control their home from one UI.